Yahoo Releases DVR Software for PC

Just a week after acquiring the technology assets of television software company Meedio, Yahoo has rolled out a new DVR solution called "Go for TV." The software turns a Windows XP PC with TV tuner card into a digital video recorder, and connects the viewer with Yahoo services such as photos and music.

Yahoo! Go for TV is the latest component of Yahoo's Go platform, which is intended to bring the company's content from the PC to other devices such as mobile phones and televisions. Google and Microsoft have undertaken similar efforts as the PC continues its transition to a full-fledged entertainment device.

With the software, Flickr photos could be viewed on TVs, and users could even play games or listen to music via Yahoo's entertainment sites while sitting on the couch. DVD playback is supported, along with TV show recording capabilities much like those offered by SnapStream and Windows Media Center.

Jupiter Research vice president Michael Gartenberg questioned Yahoo's recent initiative, however, noting that Microsoft is much father along and offers a better out of box experience.
"What I don't understand is why Yahoo is spending the time and effort to do this," Gartenberg commented. "There's no reason that Yahoo can't offer the unique services it brings to the table, like Yahoo Photos or Music via the MCE interface. This is one of those things where it just doesn't make sense to re-invent the wheel."

Yahoo! Go for TV is currently in beta and only available to users in the United States.

http://go.connect.yahoo.com/go/tv/index
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